'That hurt has been extended': Indigenous leaders in Manitoba share displeasure of Queen Elizabeth II statue being back up
Two years after two statues were knocked down and damaged at the Manitoba Legislature, one is now back up and Indigenous leaders are upset by the decision.
Last week, the province put up the Queen Elizabeth II statue back in its original place and leaders say there was no warning and it is bad timing.
"It will have negative reactions from our people no doubt," said Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Garrison Settee.
In a statement, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Cathy Merrick said the province did not consult on this decision, calling the move disappointing and upsetting.
"The replacement of the Queen Elizabeth II statue, without warning, perpetuates the painful legacy of Canadian colonialism," the statement said. "By re-erecting the statue commemorating Queen Elizabeth II, that hurt has been extended."
Settee agrees with Merrick's comments.
"Our people are recovering from the discovery of unmarked graves. It's a bad time to reintroduce the monarchy's legacy," said Settee.
Settee would like the space to be used for a new statue of an Indigenous leader like Elijah Harper, who was an MLA from 1981 to 1992 and an MP from 1993 to 1997.
The province is planning a statue of Chief Peguis for the legislature grounds in 2024. Government Services Minister James Teitsma also noted First Nations leaders were told about the Queen Elizabeth statue last year.
"The province engaged with AMC leadership and First Nations groups and advised that the Queen Elizabeth II statue would be returned to its location, and no concerns were conveyed at the time," Teitsma said in a statement.
Since being put back up, the statue has already been vandalized. The words "colonizer" and "killer” were spray painted on the statue.
Governor General Mary Simon addressed the concerns on Wednesday, saying, "There is frustrations, there's anger and from time to time, they will express that anger and the frustrations."
The Winnipeg Police Service said it is investigating the vandalism and no one has been charged to date.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE AT 2:30 MT Evacuation order issued for some Fort McMurray neighbourhoods as wildfire nears
Four Fort McMurray neighbourhoods were ordered to evacuate as a wildfire gets closer to the city.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
BREAKING Toronto's top doctor Eileen de Villa announces resignation
Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health is stepping down.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
BREAKING Sask. man faces 60 charges in child exploitation investigation, with crimes dating back to 2005
Saskatchewan RCMP have revealed that a historic sexual assault investigation has led to the discovery of alleged crimes against children dating back to 2005.
American sought after 'So I raped you' Facebook message detained in France on 2021 warrant
An American accused of sexually assaulting a Pennsylvania college student in 2013 and later sending her a Facebook message that said, 'So I raped you,' has been detained in France after a three-year search.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
1 killed, 3 injured in head-on crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
Ontario Provincial Police are responding to a fatal collision involving two vehicles on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end on Tuesday morning.